3P Grading Letter

September 2012

Dear Reader:

The “3P” Grading System is a holistic approach to evaluation that invites students to accept responsibility for themselves as learners in the classroom.  Students are encouraged to consider how daily effort toward realistic and attainable goals will help them in their preparation for the literacy demands beyond the high school English classroom -- as students, as working professionals, and as citizens.

Rather than evaluating work on a traditional point and percentage method, (which examines individual assignments, assigns a point value, and then calculates a grade based on an accumulation of points), 3P considers a body of work, positive progress towards agreed upon goals, daily work habits, and classroom conduct.  It closely replicates how we are evaluated in the workplace.  In our work lives, we are asked to make a positive contribution every day, to develop our talents and to use them to accomplish common goals.  The 3P grading system encourages students to think about their own learning, their own work habits and classroom behavior, and to work with their teacher toward steady improvement in their reading, writing, and speaking skills.

Four basic principles of 3P Grading are:

• Students are evaluated on participation, progress, and performance.
• Students assess themselves in a way that counts for 50% of their final grade.
• Participation is more important than progress or performance.
• Grades are calculated based on a collection of work over time.

In practical terms, the system relies on establishing standards for daily participation, and asks students to consider their behavior relative to clear expectations.  When students do what they are supposed to do, progress and performance goals follow.

Expectations for participation are as follows:

1. Follow directions the first time they are given and stay on task.
2. Come to class every day.
3. Come prepared: Bring necessary materials to class consistently and complete all homework and assignments before coming to class.
4. Share regularly. Give good feedback. Ask good questions.
5. Take ownership of your results; be accountable; don’t blame.
6. Ask for help when you need it; use the advice I give you.

Progress  is measured by analyzing student mastery of California Standards for English Language Arts, building speed and fluency in writing, and developing specific close reading and critical thinking skills. Additionally, students must set a realistic but challenging goal by articulating the number of books they will read independently this year.

Finally, student performance is measured as it always is -- through the collection of test scores, homework assignments, annotated texts, process essays, and on-demand timed writes.

The 3P Grading system will not be entered into Parent Portal the way that traditional grades (points and percentages) are entered.  While some performance grades will be recorded in Aeries and visible through Parent Portal, every student’s grade is calculated quarterly during a conference between the student and the teacher.  

Students are required to prepare a self-assessment and to evaluate their own participation, their progress towards established goals, and their work (a notebook, essays, timed writes, quizzes, tests).  This self-assessment is the basis of a conference between the student and the teacher, and in this conference, both parties justify their grade in each of the three categories, work the math, average the two together, and arrive at the final grade.

The 3P System may be different, but it is better; students are more engaged in their results, and involved in monitoring and measuring their learning.  The teacher is freed from the tyranny of calculating every single thing like an accounting clerk, and is therefore available to give more meaningful feedback and guidance specific to the student’s needs.  The lines of communication remain wide open; students and their parents are always welcome to set an appointment to discuss concerns or questions.

Sincerely,

Alexandra Fletcher
Advanced Placement English Language & Composition
Mayfair High School
afletcher@busd.k12.ca.us
562/925-9981 x2508